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WALKING in and around Annan
The natural place to walk
3 Jubilee Suspension Bridge, Annan Jubilee Suspension Bridge, The Royal Burgh of Annan has a long colourful history, and these walks explore the history of the area as well as the rich countryside around the town. The walks take you along peaceful riverbanks, through woods and along the edge of the Solway Firth. The walks can be enjoyed throughout the year and offer a different perspective with the changing seasons – from the verdant green of spring, the summer wildflowers, the golden colours of autumn, and the clear crisp days of winter. The walks make the most of the informal access that exists in the area. Please observe the Country Code.
THE WALKS Annan, Waterfoot and Summergate Lane ...... 6 Barnkirk Point ...... 10 River Annan ...... 14 Hoddom Castle and Farm Walks ...... 20 Repentance Tower...... 24 Saint Kentigern’s Churchyard ...... 26 Kelhead Water...... 28 4 Route information • A brief description, approximate distances and times are given for each route. • Paths are graded for people of reasonable mobility as easy, moderate, strenuous or very strenuous. • Accessibility by wheelchair is indicated on appropriate routes. • Please follow the guidelines given for dogs. • As with all walks, it is a good idea to take weatherproof clothing and stout footwear. The orange covered OS Explorer 1:25 000 map (No 332) covers this area in detail.
Wick
Inverness Aberdeen
Edinburgh Glasgow
Dumfries ANNAN Newcastle Carlisle
Location Maps Manchester
01 A7
Lochmaben Lockerbie
A709 A 7 4 (M ) Dumfries Hoddom A75 Brydekirk Kelhead Gretna
ANNAN
0 h 1 t 7 A r i F y a w l o S 5
Enjoy the countryside and respect its life and work. • Keep dogs under close control at all times. • Respect farm livestock, crops and machinery. • Take your litter home with you. • Take care on country roads. • Guard against risk of fire.
Take particular care on the shore – the Solway Firth can be deceptive, with fast tides, strong currents and deep hidden channels. 6
Circular town and shore walk 5km/3 miles Allow 11/2 -2 hours Pavements, tracks, boggy merse and grass track Moderate Boots or stout shoes recommended
A walk exploring Annan’s maritime past and the Solway Firth – taking you from the centre of Annan to the wide-open spaces of the Solway Firth. START from the Town Hall at the western end of the High Street. The Town Hall is a fine Victorian building built in 1878 from local sandstone and it reflects the pride and prosperity of Annan. Turn right, and cross the High Street. The large Georgian building on the corner opposite the Town Hall was built in 1780 and is known as Bridge House. This was the first Annan Academy. The writer Thomas Carlyle was educated here and eventually taught at the Academy. There are plans to turn this elegant building into a community resource, housing a museum and an information centre. Proceed down the street to the left of Bridge House. This is Port Street, curving round to the right and passing the fine houses that belonged to wealthy traders in bygone days. Some of the windows were blocked up to avoid paying Window Tax imposed in 1701 and remain so 7 to this day! Continue along the street,